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cami19's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
duparker's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those books that crosses the historic fiction and fictionalized history boundary. The story was well researched and decent in execution, but didn't leave me wanting more.
ocurtsinger's review
3.0
I haven't read much historical fiction, nor do I know a lot about the life of Jesse James. That being said, I found this book well written in some places and for the most part entertaining, but am torn on whether or not it's a really great read.
I suppose that most historical fiction must tread a careful line between artful prose and historical accuracy, and as I reader I can pinpoint almost too easily when Hansen switches between the two. Scenes of train robberies, of which there must have been many eyewitness accounts, are devoid of prose and embellishment, instead adopting a style similar to that of a sports game announcer, telling us the details in a play-by-play style exactly as they must appear in history.
In other scenes that focus solely on the relationship between two or three characters -- Jesse and his wife, or Jesse and Robert Ford -- I'm assuming that Hansen had more conjecturing than retelling to do, and the style and creativity of his prose really flourishes. These scenes are a lot more readable and expose Hansen's talent as a writer rather than a historian.
Hansen switches between these two styles of writing easily enough, but they're so different that at times the book can feel disjointed, or at least in need of some serious editing. It's definitely worth reading on the whole, and Hansen's talent as a writer is pretty great. But if you're bored by historical narratives then it might be better to skip.
Also a great movie.
I suppose that most historical fiction must tread a careful line between artful prose and historical accuracy, and as I reader I can pinpoint almost too easily when Hansen switches between the two. Scenes of train robberies, of which there must have been many eyewitness accounts, are devoid of prose and embellishment, instead adopting a style similar to that of a sports game announcer, telling us the details in a play-by-play style exactly as they must appear in history.
In other scenes that focus solely on the relationship between two or three characters -- Jesse and his wife, or Jesse and Robert Ford -- I'm assuming that Hansen had more conjecturing than retelling to do, and the style and creativity of his prose really flourishes. These scenes are a lot more readable and expose Hansen's talent as a writer rather than a historian.
Hansen switches between these two styles of writing easily enough, but they're so different that at times the book can feel disjointed, or at least in need of some serious editing. It's definitely worth reading on the whole, and Hansen's talent as a writer is pretty great. But if you're bored by historical narratives then it might be better to skip.
Also a great movie.
mattaukamp's review
3.0
What a strange book. Not quite a history book, but extremely well-researched and laden with dry facts that prevent any real dramatic tension. Not quite a novel, but full of well-written fictional imaginings of events people could never know, which may grate on you as you wonder what's true and what's not. I enjoyed it, but I'm not entirely sure exactly what I got out of it. That's why I think it lingers at a 3/5... It felt hollow, somehow. Smart scenes, interesting facts, and a few beautiful bits of prose strung together by a web of pointlessness. Was it meant to be entertaining? Informative? It's a little of both but not fully either. A good book, but not a great one.
travis_zalesky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Dark, tense, and gritty. A sad and dark story about the lives of desperate men. Artfully crafted with a classic three act structure, each act masterfully building the suspence and ending in the suden crack of gunfire.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Minor: Racism
adamrshields's review
3.0
Short Review: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford by Ron Hansen -- The downfall of greatness seems to be written in advance by the weaknesses that are inverse to the greatness. This is historical fiction that reads like biography. Historically is it really pretty accurate with imagined dialogue. It was ok, but just never caught me. This is two books that I have tried from Ron Hansen, but I didn't really enjoy either. I liked this better than Margarette in Ecstasy, and primarily because the spare-ness of the writing seemed a feature here instead of a distraction. But didn't love it. Not sure if I will pick up a third or not.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/jesse-james/
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/jesse-james/
liberrydude's review
1.0
I made it to page 123 before I decided it wasn't worth the effort to finish it. Was very disappointed. Had met the author and enjoyed a speech of his about writing. Back and forth from Kansas City to Kentucky go Jesse James and his gang. Also back and forth through time we go as well. I had a hard time keeping track of all his confidantes and cousins. Just a depressing tale of coarse men with bad manners and violent tendencies. I know the ending. Didn't want to wade through his romantic life of lies and murder rendered real, visceral, and boring too.
bookchace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0